Macca’s flag in a flap over protocol

A NARRE Warren man is less than lovin’ McDonald’s treatment of the Australian flag.
David McKenzie voiced his concern to the News after he tried for more than a month to stop the Fountain Gate restaurant from flying their McDonald’s flag on the same pole as the national flag.
He said he was fobbed off after taking the issue up with McDonald’s management.
“All I want is an apology,” Mr McKenzie said.
He said La Trobe MP Jason Wood told him that McDonald’s was breaching national flag protocol.
“I drive past the site everyday and I see the Australian flag tangled up around the other flag. It is a mess.
“I took a copy of the protocol and a letter into McDonald’s and asked them to pass it on to the manager.
“They told me that they had to wait two to three weeks to get the official policy from McDonald’s, even though I had presented them with my research,” he said.
According to the Australian National Flag Association, the Australian flag “should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign.”
Mr McKenzie said action was finally taken after raising the issue with McDonald’s management for a third time.
“I don’t want to pick on McDonald’s. I have no personal vendetta against them. I just wanted them to show some respect to the flag.
“A manager finally called me and told me they had pulled it (McDonald’s flag) down and chopped it up.”
However, Mr McKenzie believes the restaurant still owes an official apology to the public.
“They offered me a free meal but I don’t think I will be taking them up on that offer.”
A McDonald’s spokesman said the flag issue had been clarified and there was now only the Australian flag flying on the pole.